Armani Group named Dario Vitale creative director of Emporio Armani and Giorgio Armani accessories, bringing fresh talent to the Italian fashion house following the death of its founder a year ago.
Vitale, whose appointment takes effect immediately, is the first designer outside the Armani family to hold the role, the company said in a statement Wednesday (Sept 16).
The group offers fashion lines ranging from the more mass-market Armani Exchange to exclusive and red-carpet gowns from Giorgio Armani Prive.
Read more: How Giorgio Armani built an enduring fashion legacy of cinematic elegance
Giorgio’s niece Silvana oversees womenswear design while group chairman Leo Dell’Orco is head of menswear.
Vitale was briefly artistic director of Versace last year, but left after Prada bought the label, known for its exuberant style.
Prior to Versace, Vitale was at Miu Miu, another Prada brand.
Bloomberg News reported in June that Armani was in the process of hiring a new designer for Emporio Armani.
The line offers black dresses for €840 (approximately RM3,970) and formal men’s suits for €1,250 (RM5,910), putting it among the more affordable brands in luxury fashion.
Handbags haven’t traditionally been a significant revenue generator for Armani, but naming Vitale as head of accessories may signal a desire to boost that offering.
Handbags tend to carry high profit margins, making them a key category for luxury groups.
Armani’s death occurred during a downturn for personal luxury goods, with his namesake company posting organic sales that fell 2.8% last year at constant exchange rates.
Read more: Giorgio Armani was 91, but his timeless style keeps finding young fans
His heirs have added industry veterans to the board and elevated Giuseppe Marsocci to chief executive officer.
In his will, Giorgio directed his heirs to find a strategic partner 12 to 18 months after his death.
He named eyewear firm EssilorLuxottica, beauty conglomerate L’Oreal and leather goods giant LVMH – or a company of similar standing – as preferred bidders for an initial 15% stake, which could rise to nearly 70% within five years.
As an alternative, the company could also be listed on a public stock market. – Bloomberg
